The first batch of Lagos State Christian Pilgrims returned safely to Lagos on January 1, 2025, aboard a chartered atlas jet 6K 3101 after a successful pilgrimage exercise in Israel and Jordan.

At the welcome ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rt. Rev Stephen Adegbite, expressed joy at the success of the exercise, noting that the journey began and ended in joy.

He thanked the Jordanian authority for a smooth Jordan and Israel border transfer of pilgrims.

The NCPC boss equally thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for their unwavering support, believing that other states would equally have a successful pilgrimage exercise.

The Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, Very Revd. Adebukola Adeleke, and the Chairman of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bishop Akinpelu Johnson, also expressed gratitude to God for journey mercies.

The Board Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe, thanked God for the hitch-free exercise. She also thanked President Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu for giving the board the enabling environment to operate.

She acknowledged improvements at the Jordan-Israel border.